UNPAID carers up and down the land are being hammered by the cost-of-living crisis and are struggling to make ends meet.
More than a third of their estimated 11,000 number have cut back on essentials such as food and heating this year.
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Seven in ten are worried about saving and planning for their future, warns the State of Caring report from Carers UK.
Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at the charity, says: “Unpaid carers are now in the worst situation we have ever seen.”
Mel Hunter looks at the crisis and explains what sources of help and discounts are available . . .
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?
UNPAID carers save the NHS and social care £162billion a year, with around 600 people a day giving up work to look after someone.
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Yet they face a triple hit of higher caring costs and low benefits on top of reduced earnings.
People receiving the Carer’s Allowance benefit are in the bleakest position.
A quarter of those getting the £76.75 a week have fallen into debt.
A fifth of carers overall struggle to afford food, but that rises to a third among those who are receiving the allowance.
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The benefit is only available to those caring for someone for at least 35 hours a week and earning less than £139 a week in another job.
For 35 hours of caring, the £76.75 weekly payment works out at just £2.19 per hour.
Carers exceeding the £139 weekly income ceiling by just a pound lose their entire allowance.
Carers UK is now calling for an urgent overhaul of the system.
Emily says: “Rather than helping people, the Carer’s Allowance is locking many into an endless financial struggle.”
Carers UK wants the allowance linked to increases in the National Living Wage, and for people to be able to earn more before they lose the benefit.
HELP AVAILABLE
THE main benefits are Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance.
The latter counts as a contribution toward your state pension and may open the door for other benefits, including the carer element of Universal Credit which is worth £185.86 a month.
Those who get the Carer’s Allowance in Scotland could get the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, which is curr-ently £541 a year.
Carers over the state pension age may also qualify for the £42.75 Carer Addition to Pension Credit.
If you care for someone for 20 hours a week and don’t get the Carer’s Allowance, you should still apply for Carer’s Credit, which will boost your national insurance credits to protect your state pension.
Some carers may be able to get their council tax reduced if they meet certain criteria such as caring for someone who is severely mentally impaired.
Do a quick benefits check at turn2us.org.uk, or on the Carers UK website, to find out what you are entitled to.
HIGH STREET DISCOUNTS
Carers can also benefit from discounts on many high- street goods and services.
The best way to get those most relevant to you is to find your local carer organisation.
Many have their own free discount scheme, giving money off with local and national businesses.
Carers can sign up to Discounts For Carers (discountsforcarers.com) for free.
Bosch, Homebase, JD Sports and Jet2Holidays are among those who are offering money off.
But some online schemes charge a fee to join up with them.
You should always weigh up any costs involved against possible savings, to make sure it is worthwhile.
Help for carers can also come through the person they are supporting.
For example, the UK Cinema Association offers the £5 CEA Card, which provides anyone with a carer a free cinema ticket so that they can be helped to watch a film.
- For extra support, see carersuk.org, email [email protected] or call 0808 808 7777.
‘I now have no savings and I lie awake worrying’
FORMER dance teacher Charlotte Booker has wiped out her savings since giving up work to become a full-time carer.
Mum-of-one Charlotte, 33, of Broadstairs, Kent spends 40 hours a week caring for her mother Lyn, 64, who has pancreatic cancer.
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She says: “When it was confirmed Mum’s cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, in May this year, I knew I needed to be her carer.
“To survive, I had to apply for Universal Credit, which is topped up with the £76.75 Carer’s Allowance.”
But the allowance, and Universal Credit, leaves her £250 short each month.
Charlotte adds: “I don’t buy new clothes or go out for meals. I have no savings, no hope of buying a house, and lie awake worrying each night.”
To get by each month, Charlotte has taken on extra work, beyond caring for her mum and within the limit allowed under Universal Credit.
She adds: “Although it is incredibly tough work, I love caring for my mum. But the allowance is not enough.”
Bank on it
LLOYDS, Halifax and Santander are among banks allowing customers to give a debit card to a trusted person such as a carer.
The idea is to help both the carer and the person they are looking after, to manage everyday costs.
The person providing the card keeps full control of the account, the size of transactions is limited and the carer using it cannot see the balance, sort code or account number.
Crisis funding for abuse survivors
DOMESTIC abuse survivors can access hundreds of pounds in cash to escape their relationships when in crisis.
Depending on where they live or who they bank with, they can get up to £1,000 to help pay for essentials such as travel, temporary shelter, clothing and toiletries.
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TSB’s “flee fund” offers existing customers up to £500 to escape an abusive situation.
The bank introduced the scheme in December 2022, with branch staff also receiving specialist training to spot signs of domestic abuse and to help survivors.
TSB said 136 people have accessed its fund in the ten months since launch, with about 35 per cent being parents.
The bank has now extended the scheme to staff affected by abuse.
To access the fund, staff can speak to their manager or HR, or visit a TSB branch.
The Scottish government this week also announced its pilot scheme offering survivors of domestic abuse up to £1,000 to escape their relationships.
The Fund to Leave scheme will send £500,000 to Women’s Aid organisations in five council areas – in Glasgow, Fife, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire and Edinburgh.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Leaving a relationship with an abusive partner is dangerous and difficult, and financial dependence on the abuser is often the biggest barrier.”
Women can apply by contacting a participating Women’s Aid group or Scottish Women’s Aid on 0800 027 1234. Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “Survivors have told us for decades that the biggest problems they face in extricating themselves from abusers are the danger of retaliation, their lack of financial independence and the fear of destitution.
“After years of advocating for speedy, accessible and practical help for leaving, we are delighted to welcome this fund.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced £300,000 in funding for a similar pilot scheme to help women in England and Wales in March.
The fund was set up following a Sun campaign, and Spice Girl Mel B hailed it as a lifesaver.
Abuse survivors were able to apply for up to £500 in cash or voucher payments through Women’s Aid.
However, this funding has now run out and Sun Money is calling for the scheme to be renewed.
A Home Office spokesperson said it will decide on the next steps with the charity.
If you are suffering domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 in England, 0808 801 0800 in Wales, 0800 027 1234 in Scotland and 0808 802 1414 in Northern Ireland.
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You can also visit your local pharmacy or job centre and “Ask for Ani” – meaning Action Needed Immediately.
Find your nearest participating pharmacy or job centre using your postcode on the Government website enough.campaign.gov.uk/get-support/ask-for-ani.
